Pitch-Perfect Parfaits

Yogurt parfaits can be pretty pricey at lunch places--running anywhere from 3-6 dollars, depending on the size. Those monster-sized portions can pack quite a wallop to the waistline, too. I also had the unpleasant experience of getting food poisoning from a Café Metro parfait back in 2006--I was violently ill for a good 36 hours after that, and it's only recently, in 2009, that I started eating them again...cautiously.

The BF & I often hit up Trader Joe's in Oceanside (don't even get me started on the claustrophobia-inducing experience that is Trader Joe's in NYC), where we can leisurely wander the aisles and pick up new things or old favorites. They also always have samples in the back, so after we hit the first aisle or two, we wander over there. One of my favorites so far was a parfait with Greek yogurt (thicker and tarter than the sweeter varieties most of us are used to eating).

I mused aloud Sunday, while floating in the pool, that I'd love to have one of those right now. My fabulous BF wasted no time in going into the kitchen and putting together one that was out of this world delicious. Even better than the Trader Joe's version! This man is a master in the kitchen, God bless him!

After that delicious treat, which my awesome BF made just to make me happy, I became obsessed with them. We went to TJ's later that day and I picked up the supplies: frozen blueberries (1.99) and plain Greek yogurt (2.29). I already had walnuts at home (on sale earlier this year via Fresh Direct, natch!) as well as TJ's organic agave nectar (1.99 for the whole bottle--I still have about half left). For less than the cost of one large parfait, I have supplies to make a loooot more (I've already made two so far!

I spooned careful layers of yogurt, plopped chopped walnuts on top, as well as defrosted blueberries. My BF's version had some crunchy granola (Target's Archer brand--awesome and affordable), but I was out of that. I just subbed in even MORE walnuts (Omega-3s galore!) instead. I lightly drizzled each layer with a whisper-thin layer of agave, and voila! Instant and affordable deliciousness. They are my favorite summer treat right now!